Department of Rehabilitation Services

Physical Therapy
Standard of Care: Meniscal Tears

Case Type / Diagnosis: (diagnosis specific, impairment/ dysfunction specific)


The menisci are semi lunar shaped regions of cartilage on the medial and lateral sides of the knee
joint. The medial meniscus is semicircular in shape and the lateral meniscus is almost a
complete circle.
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The medial meniscus is less mobile than the lateral translating 2 to 5 mm. The
lateral translates 9 to 11mm in the anterioposterior plane.
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The medial meniscus translates less
secondary to its attachments to the medial collateral ligament. Therefore, there is an increased
incidence of medial meniscal tearing.
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The lateral meniscus is less firmly attached around its
peripheral region. The anterior horn moves less than the posterior horn. Over 70% of tears occur
in the posterior horns. The meniscus is 75% type one collagen
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. The fibers run along
longitudinal (circumferential) and radial patterns. The longitudinal fibers allow for axial loading
while radial fibers allow for rotational loading. The peripheral 20%-30% of the medial meniscus
and 10%-25% of the lateral meniscus are vascular.
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Healing is greatly enhanced in these
vascular regions. During flexion the femoral condyles compress on the posterior horns causing
anterioposterior spread. During knee extension the condlyles compress on the anterior horns
causing mediolateral deformation.
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Meniscal motion undergoes both anterioposterior translation
as well as rotatory motion along the tibial plateau. Meniscal motion is determined directly by
osseous configuration of the tibiofemoral joint, but the motion is indirectly influenced by
contraction of the quadriceps, semimembranosus and popliteus muscles. Meniscal motion
follows the direction of femoral condyle displacement. Should the menisci fail to follow the
femoral condyles along the tibial plateau they risk entrapment between the two articulating
surfaces and sustaining injury due to compression.
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During terminal knee extension the tibia and
femur move in opposite directions, therefore it is during the last 20-30 degrees of extension that
the menisci are at greatest risk.
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One function of the meniscus is to distribute loads across the knee joint. The menisci transmit
approximately 50% of the load in weight bearing (extension) and 90% of the load at 90 degrees
of knee flexion. The majority of the load is transmitted through the posterior horns with flexion
past 90 degrees.
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When meniscal integrity is compromised, abnormal articular contact stress
results, leading to early degenerative changes. The meniscus also plays a role in knee stability.
Menisci deepen the socket of the tibia to increase contact with the femoral condyles. The
meniscus can also help to limit femoral translation on the tibia. The meniscus (especially the
posterior horn of the medial meniscus) can be a secondary stabilizer in an ACL deficient knee.
7

Finally, the meniscus has a role in joint lubrication. When the knee is loaded, the meniscus is
compressed, synovial fluid is driven into the articular cartilage, thereby decreasing friction and
providing joint nutrition.
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Standard of Care: Meniscal Tears
Copyright 2007 The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc. Department of Rehabilitation
Services. All rights reserved.

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Standard of Care: Meniscal Tears
Copyright 2007 The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc. Department of Rehabilitation
Services. All rights reserved.

2
The most frequent mechanism of injury is non-contact stress from deceleration or acceleration
coupled with a change in direction- cutting maneuver. Contact stress may also cause a meniscal
tear, from a varus, valgus or hyperextension force coupled with a rotational motion. This
mechanism can also result in a concurrent collateral ligamentous sprain.
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Classification of meniscal tears include; complete or partial, horizontal or vertical, longitudinal
or transverse.
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Horizontal tears are most often chronic from degenerative changes. These tears
usually do not cause locking but they can progress to flap tears causing popping or clicking.
Vertical tears/longitudinal tears are most often traumatic. These tears are also known as bucket
handle tears. When an unstable fragment from a bucket-handle tear moves into the intracondlar
notch it blocks full extension of the knee joint.
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Tears in the central aspect of the meniscus
characterize radial tears. These tears may migrate towards the periphery and turn into a parrot
beak tear. Signs may include: swelling, give-way or catching.
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Healing is influenced by the pattern of the tear and the type of vascularity. Longitudinal tears
heal better than radial tears. Simple tears heal better than complex tears. Traumatic tears have
higher healing rates than degenerative tears, and acute tears heal better than chronic tears.
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Conservative vs. surgical management is determined by seeking an intervention, which
maintains the best long-term results with the lowest possible risk for degenerative arthritis.

Conservative management of meniscal tears: Most often these tears are longitudinal
partial thickness tears along the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus associated with an
ACL tear. Full thickness peripheral tears less than 5mm and radial tears less than 5mm
may also be conservatively managed.
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Meniscal repair: Typically in indicated for lesions within 3mm of the vascular zone;
normal contour and greater than 7mm. Repair is also more successful with an intact or
reconstructed ACL, vs. an ACL deficient knee.
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Partial menisectomy is the operative resection of the mobile portion of irreparable types
of lesions.

Possible ICD 9 Codes:

717.3 derangement of the medial meniscus
717.4 derangement of the lateral meniscus
836.0 lateral meniscus tear
836.1 medial meniscus tear

Indications for Treatment:
1) Pain
2) Swelling/edema



Standard of Care: Meniscal Tears
Copyright 2007 The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc. Department of Rehabilitation
Services. All rights reserved.

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3) Instability
4) Impaired function
5) Gait impairment
6) Loss of ROM

Contraindications / Precautions for Treatment:
Acute patients should avoid further athletic participation and excessive loading to
meniscus.
Please see protocols for post operative care of meniscal repair, menisectomy and repair
with ACL reconstruction.

Examination:

Medical History: Complete review of medical history questionnaire (ambulatory evaluation),
medical record (day surgery unit) and medical history in hospitalized computer system record/
LMR. Review of diagnostic imaging in LMR or centricity and/or operative notes listed in LMR
should also be examined. MRI is 90% accurate in terms of diagnosis of meniscal tears, however
arthroscopy is the gold standard for diagnosis.
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History of Present Illness: Questions regarding 1) The mechanism of injury- traumatic or
degenerative 2) presence of locking, giving way or catching (displaced fragments can act as
mechanical block) 3) Presence of pain- the peripheral 1/3 only- degenerative tears to the middle
2/3 are less likely to be painful since they are devoid of free nerve endings 4) swelling if a tear
is in the red zone swelling usually develops in 1-3 days. Swelling 1-2 hours after trauma usually
indicates a concurrent ligamentous injury or fracture.
7-9

Social History: The patients home, work, recreational and social activities should be
investigated.

Medications: Patients may be taking non-steroidal anti- inflammatory medications, and may
have had a corticosteroid injection.

Examination (Physical / Cognitive / applicable tests and measures / other)
This section is intended to capture the minimum data set and identify specific circumstance(s) that might
require additional tests and measures.

Pain: As measured on the Visual Analog Scale/Verbal Rating Scale/Numerical Rating Scale,
activities that increase symptoms decrease symptoms, location of symptoms and irritability level.
Use body diagram to indicate all areas where symptoms are reported and which are most
frequently present.

Inspection: Decreased thigh girth and atrophy of quad-can be a sign of chronic tear secondary to
reflex inhibition. Dimple effect of the VMO may occur in patients who cannot achieve full
extension.
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Standard of Care: Meniscal Tears
Copyright 2007 The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc. Department of Rehabilitation
Services. All rights reserved.

4

Posture: Varus knee malalignment tends to overload the medial knee compartment. Valgus
malalignment overloads the lateral meniscus. Patients with poor alignment tend to have more
degenerative tears, which have a poorer healing capacity. Patients foot alignment should also be
assessed.
Palpation :(for edema, pain and joint line tenderness) Edema may be activity dependent. Edema
may or may not be present depending upon the site of the tear (vascular or avascular region).
Girth measurements may be taken to track edema or atrophy. J oint line tenderness is the most
reliable clinical sign in a patient with an intact ACL.
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(Tenderness can be non-specific if
ACL, MCL or OA is suspected) Tenderness has been shown to be 96% accurate, 89%sensitive
and 97%specific for the lateral meniscus and 74% accurate, 86%sensitive and 67%specific for
the medial meniscus. The peripheral portions of the meniscal bodies contain free nerve endings,
the central one third of the menisci are devoid of innervation.
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Range of motion: (check for lack of extension or full flexion) Displaced flap may limit motion.
Knee, hip and ankle ROM should be noted.

Special tests for meniscal integrity: 1) McMurrays - Loading of the lateral and medial
meniscus, from a fully flexed position with ER or IR. Clicking is suggestive of a mensical tear.
Pain during knee flexion implicates the posterior horns. Pain with extension implicates the
anterior horns. Internal rotation tests the lateral meniscus while external rotation tests the medial
meniscus. Positive predictive values have a wide range from 29% to 92% among studies.
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2)
Apleys compression tests- comprises of rotation plus compression, then rotation plus distraction
with the patient prone and the knee flexed at 90. If pain is present with distraction- the lesion is
more likely ligamentous. If the pain is with compression the lesion is more likely meniscus.

Special tests for ligamentous integrity: To rule out or in associated knee pathology.
Full descriptions for knee special tests can be found in Magee.
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It should be noted that when clusters of tests are used diagnostic accuracy improves.

These and other special tests for the knee can be found in:

Magee DJ . Orthopedic Physical Assessment. 2
nd
ed. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Company;
1992: 372-444.

Functional assessment:
1) The Lower Extremity Functional Scale
2) LIFEware- modified Lysolm Knee Index

May be used to assess patients ongoing functional status

Screening: The spine, hip and ankle should be routinely screened in all patients with knee pain
to rule out other potential impairments that may be contributing to lower extremity pain and
diminished function.



Standard of Care: Meniscal Tears
Copyright 2007 The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc. Department of Rehabilitation
Services. All rights reserved.

5

Differential Diagnosis (if applicable):
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1. Discoid meniscus- congenital abnormality of the lateral meniscus lacking a crescent
shape.
2. Cystic menisci- infiltration of synovial fluid through a horizontal tear. (Typically lateral)
3. Popliteus tendonitis muscle may be come enlarged secondary to its rolling unlocking
the screw-home mechanism and become entrapped.
4. Plicae-repeated rubbing of the mediopatellar plica across the medial femoral condyle and
the medial patellar facet may contribute to chondromalacia.
5. Osteocondritis dissecans-Osseous lesion to the medial femoral condyle, lateral femoral
condyle and the patella. Fragment joint mice may cause mechanical symptoms.
6. Meniscotibial ligament sprain- in conjunction with a medial collateral ligament sprain.
This may be clinically indistinguishable from a meniscal tear. Only diagnosed via
arthroscopy.
7. Tibial spine avulsion fracture- the medial meniscus may be entrapped beneath the
fracture segment.
8. Fat pad syndrome- if the fat pad is converted to fibrocartilage secondary to repetitive
trauma, or repetitive surgical intervention, the pad may be entrapped between the patella
and the femur. Resulting in similar symptoms to meniscal tear.

Evaluation / Assessment:

Establish Diagnosis and Need for Skilled Services

Potential Problem List:
1) Pain
2) Edema
3) Decreased ROM
4) Impaired Strength
5) Impaired functional mobility
6) Impaired Gait
7) Knowledge deficit regarding activity modification and progression of activity

Prognosis: Approximately one-third of tears can be treated conservatively with full resolution of
symptoms. Two thirds will require surgical intervention. Some studies suggest patients who are
compliant with home exercise program s/p partial menisectomy do not require formal PT
intervention.
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Goals: (with measurable parameters and with specific timelines)
1) Pain free gait, functional mobility and ADLs in 8-12 wks as reported on VAS and/or
functional outcome measures
2) Non-palpable edema in 4wks
3) Full Rom involved equals non-involved in 4-6wks
4) At least 4/5 MMT all Le planes in 6-8wks
5) Non-antalgic, normalized gait with/without assistive device in 6wks



Standard of Care: Meniscal Tears
Copyright 2007 The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc. Department of Rehabilitation
Services. All rights reserved.

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6) Independent with home ther ex program both initial and progressed in 8-12wks.




Age Specific Considerations: Younger patients more frequently experience longitudinal tears
and peripheral detachments, most often involving the posterior horn. Teenagers typically sustain
bucket handle tears. Most tears are a result of high-energy sports activities. Many clinical
finding present in adults may not be found in children secondary to higher ligamentous laxity,
i.e.- false- positive Mcmurrays testing. Children usually present with pain, antalgia, locking, as
well as swelling and joint line tenderness.
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Older patients should undergo conservative
management secondary to the likelihood of degenerative tears, unless a mechanical block is
found.
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Treatment Planning / Interventions

Established Pathway ___ Yes, see attached. __X_ No

Established Protocol ___ yes, see attached. __X_ No

Interventions most commonly used for this case type/diagnosis.
This section is intended to capture the most commonly used interventions for this case type/diagnosis. It is
not intended to be either inclusive or exclusive of appropriate interventions.

Acute: (if applicable):
Diminish inflammation and swelling- modalities as needed- see protocols
Restore ROM- emphasizing full knee extension (flexion to tolerance)
Facilitate quadriceps activity- E-stimulation and therapeutic exercise
Normalize gait pattern- assistive devices and braces as needed.
Endurance activity- decreased impact/load- bike, swimming, (no frog kick) elliptical

Sub-Acute/Chronic: (if applicable):
Continue with inflammation and ROM management
Progression to closed kinetic chain therapeutic exercise, progressive resistive therapeutic
exercise. Focus on hamstring and quadriceps strengthening secondary to their dynamic
role in meniscal movement.
Balance and proprioception drills

Goals:
Normal gait
85% strength of the contralateral side
Progression to sport specific drills.
Unloading braces might be helpful with degenerative tears to restore full functional
mobility in a patient with a varus or valgus alignment.



Standard of Care: Meniscal Tears
Copyright 2007 The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc. Department of Rehabilitation
Services. All rights reserved.

7

Frequency/duration: Outpatient care 1-2x/wk- 2-3months as indicated by patients status and
progression.



Patient / family education: Education includes home program, footwear modification, use of
assistive device, pain and edema management techniques, activity modification and progression.

Recommendations and referrals to other providers:
Orthopedic referral- especially if mechanical symptoms are present, ligamentous instability,
osseous injury or continued symptoms after 3months.

Re-evaluation / assessment:
Standard Time Frame: Every 30 days of sooner if status change occurs

Other Possible Triggers: Change in signs or symptoms, or new trauma

Discharge Planning:

Commonly expected outcomes at discharge:
1) Non-antalgic gait
2) Pain free /full ROM
3) LE strength at least 4/5
4) Independent with home program
5) Normal age appropriate balance and proprioception
6) Resolved palpable edema


Patients discharge instructions:
Continue with maintenance home program 3x/wk if symptoms have resolved.
Follow up with MD as needed if symptoms return.


Authors: Reviewers:
Amy Butler Ken Shannon
Colleen Coyne Reg Wilcox III
9/04 J oel Fallano
9/04



Standard of Care: Meniscal Tears
Copyright 2007 The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc. Department of Rehabilitation
Services. All rights reserved.

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Bibliography / Reference List

1.Barber F. Alan, Click, Sarah D. Meniscus repair Rehabilitation with concurrent anterior
cruciate reconstruction. Journal of Arthroscopic and related surgery. 1997;13(4):433-437.

2. Brotzman SB, Wilk, KE, Clinical Orthopedic Rehabilitation, Philadelphia, PA: Mosby Inc;
2003: 315-19.

3. Eren Osman Tugrul. The Accuracy of joint line tenderness by physical examination in the
diagnosis of meniscal tears. Journal of Arhroscopic and related Surgery. 2003; 19 (8): 850-854.

4. Ganley Theodore, Arnold Christopher, McKernan D. The Impact of loading on deformation
about posteromedial meniscal tears. Orthopedics, 2000;23(6): 597-601.

5. Goodwin Peter C, Effectiveness of supervised PT in the early period after arthroscopic partial
menisectomy. Physical Therapy, 2003;83(6): 520-535.

6. Kurosaka M., Yagi M., Yoshiya S. Efficacy of axially loaded pivot shift test for the diagnosis
of a meniscal tear. International Orthopedics, 1999; 23: 271-274

7. McCarty Eric, Marx Robert G. Meniscal tears in the athlete. Operative and nonoperative
management. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation clinics of North America. 2000; 11(4):867-
878.

8. Magee DJ . Orthopedic Physical Assessment. 2
nd
ed. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Company;
1992: 372-444.

9. Saidoff David, McDonough Andrew. Critical Pathways in therapeutic intervention.
Extremities and Spine; Philadelphia, PA: Mosby Inc., 2002: 611-639.

10. Shelborne K. Donald, Patel Dipak V., Rehabilitation after meniscal repair. Clinics in Sports
Medicine.1996; 15(3): 595-610.